Homily Starters, Fr. Tony’s Homily
Homily Starters, Fr. Tony’s Homily
December 21, 2025
December 21, 2025
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
- ANECDOTES
- EXEGESIS
- LIFE MESSAGES
HOMILY STARTERS
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
Beauty and the Beast
Stepping Into the Ugly: How God Transforms Our World
Today’s Gospel message is a bit like the story of Beauty and the Beast, the animated film nominated for the Oscar Award in 1991. In that film, Beauty stepped into the ugly world of the Beast, not because he was loveable, not because he deserved her, but because she loved her father. But the world of the beast did not change right away, even though Beauty was there. The servants, who shared the curse of the Beast, warned him that Beauty might be the one they had been waiting for, but the Beast continued to rage and scream and roar, finally sending Beauty away. On her way home, she was attacked by the wolves, and Beast saved her. As Beauty returned and nursed the wounded Beast back to health, they began to bicker and blame each other, until in one beautiful moment, Beauty stepped into the heart of the ugly beast. From that moment on, the Beast began to change slowly. He started to laugh and play. And then, finally, Beast realized that he loved Beauty, and in an amazing act of love, he released her to find her father. Beauty and her father returned to the ugly world of the Beast to warn him of the danger of the townspeople’s attack, but they were too late. In the fighting, Beast had been stabbed, and as he lay dying, Beauty confessed her love for him. And the spell was broken. Beast was changed by the love of Beauty. Because Beauty stepped into the ugly world of the Beast, Beast was changed, little by little, until one day he was transformed into a wonderful handsome prince.
In Jesus, God stepped into our ugly, beastly world as Joshua (Savior), and Emmanuel (sign of God’s permanent presence with us), to change it, to bring to it – to us – the beauty of the love of God’s kingdom. But change comes slowly. Yes, just look at our world. There are so many ugly people, so many beastly things happening. But, there are some people who are changing and some who have been changed by the beauty of God’s love, and both begin loving others. Today’s Gospel describes the changes that occurred in St. Joseph and in the Holy Family.
Richard A. Hasler, Empowered by the Light, CSS Publishing Company. Quoted by Fr. Kayala
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
St. Joseph
THEOLOGY OF THE BODY INSTITUTE (9:18) – The custom of depicting St. Joseph as an old man came from a misguided intention to preserve Mary’s virginity; however, aging our image of St. Joseph says far more about our own hang ups and doubt in God’s grace than it does about the profound mystery that is Mary and Joseph’s virginal marriage.
Beyond the Gray Beard: Re-imagining Joseph the Protector
In Christian art, Joseph is often portrayed more like Jesus’ grandfather or great-grandfather than like a parent. In a 17th-century painting by Guido Reni, Joseph, with gray hair and beard, lovingly holds the infant, who plays with his beard. One beautiful exception is El Greco’s “Joseph,” which portrays him as a vigorous young man with Jesus clinging to his legs, here a figure of trust and protection. The historical Joseph, a carpenter or stoneworker, was most likely young and vigorous, excited about a future with a woman he so loved that he would not invoke a harsh law against supposed adultery, but still followed the law and so would have put her away “quietly” — except for the angel from God. Yet out of his shattered hopes would come forth One whom he would name Jesus, the Emmanuel, “God with us.”
Matthew’s Joseph, in today’s Gospel, provides a model of complementarity for parents today as they engage in that most Divine of tasks—bringing forth new life and guiding their sons and daughters along the way of Christ.
SOURCE: Fr. John R. Donahue, S.J.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
Pax Romana
OUR ANCIENT WORLD (8:14) – How Ancient Rome Thrived During The Pax Romana (Rome’s Golden Age)
From Roman Peace to Eternal Peace
Janus, one of the Roman gods, had two faces, which signified his ability to see both past and future, at once. His image was posted in the doorway of Roman houses, from which position it was thought he could protect the comings and goings of the inhabitants. Wherever Rome was at war, the doors of Janus’ temple were left open; in times of peace, they were closed. During his reign as emperor, Augustus (31 B.C. – AD 14) ordered the doors to Janus’ temple to be closed three times as evidence of the Pax Romana (Roman Peace), which he established and enforced and which lasted for two centuries. Before his death at age 75, Augustus had so organized Rome’s provinces and made its extensive system of roads so safe that commercial enterprise flourished and extended even into India and China.
When he wrote to the Christians at Rome, Paul’s letter was safely carried from Corinth to Rome, and like the other early Christian missionaries, his many journeys for the sake of the Gospel were made less difficult because roadways were maintained and guarded by Roman soldiers. But when Paul extended his traditional greetings of grace and peace (vs. 7) to the Roman Church, it was not the Pax Romana but the Pax Christi to which be referred. Christ’s peace, which is so much in the forefront during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, is Christ’s gift to all of us of Himself, Incarnate, crucified and risen. His peace is not enforced but offered to all who will appropriate his gift in Faith.
SOURCE: Patricia Datchuck Sánchez
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
Fr. Tony’s Joke of the Week
A Jesuit, a Dominican and a Franciscan were walking along an old road, debating the greatness of their orders. Suddenly, a vision of the Holy Family appeared in front of them, with Jesus in a manger and Mary and Joseph praying over him. The Franciscan fell on his face, overcome with awe at the sight of God born in such poverty. The Dominican fell to his knees, adoring the beautiful reflection of the Trinity and the Holy Family. The Jesuit walked up to Joseph, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, “So, where ya thinking of sending the kid for school?
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
The first reading, Isaiah 7:10-14, must be understood through both its historical context and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Historically, King Ahaz of Judah faced invasion from neighboring kingdoms. Instead of trusting God’s promise to the line of David, Ahaz sought a political alliance with pagan Assyria. The prophet Isaiah urged the King to have faith and ask for a divine sign. When Ahaz obstinately refused, Isaiah announced God’s sign anyway: a young woman (almah) would bear a son named Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.”
Scholars suggest the immediate fulfillment was the birth of Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, who eventually reformed Judah, proving God had not abandoned His people. However, the definitive fulfillment is revealed in the Gospel. St. Matthew identifies the “Virgin” as Mary and “Emmanuel” as Jesus. While Isaiah spoke to a specific crisis, the Holy Spirit imbues prophecy with deeper layers of meaning. Jesus is the true, final realization of God’s presence among humanity. The text reminds us not to imitate Ahaz’s lack of faith; even in difficulty, we must trust that God is truly with us.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
In Romans 1:1-7, St. Paul introduces himself to the Roman church to establish his authority as an Apostle “set apart” for the Gospel. He summarizes the core of the Christian faith by highlighting Jesus’ dual nature: Christ is a descendant of David according to the flesh, fulfilling Messianic prophecy, and is established as the Son of God in power through His Resurrection. Paul connects this reality to the Hebrew Scriptures, demonstrating that his mission to the Gentiles is part of God’s ancient plan. He presents a sweeping overview of salvation history centered on the identity and work of Jesus Christ.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
While Luke focuses on Mary, Matthew highlights Joseph to establish Jesus’ legal lineage in the House of David. The text presents a stark contrast between King Ahaz (from the first reading) and Joseph. While Ahaz relied on political schemes and sacrificed his son to idols, Joseph relied entirely on God and protected his foster Son.
Facing a crisis—Mary’s unexplained pregnancy during their betrothal—Joseph, a “just man,” balanced the Law with mercy, resolving to divorce her quietly to spare her shame or death. However, an angel intervened, revealing the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s response was immediate, silent obedience. By accepting Mary and naming the child, Joseph conferred legal Davidic rights upon Jesus.
This event fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the Virgin (parthenos) bearing a son. While the Hebrew almah referred generally to a young woman, the Gospel clarifies the definitive fulfillment in Mary’s biological virginity. The child is named Jesus (“God saves”) and is the true Emmanuel (“God is with us”). Matthew opens and closes his Gospel with this assurance: God is not distant, but permanently present to save us from our sins.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
Like Joseph, we need to trust in God, listen to Him and be faithful
We are here in this Church, one week before Christmas, because, like Joseph, we are faithful, and we trust in God, His power and His mercy. Although we may face financial problems, job insecurity, family problems, and health concerns let us try to be trusting and faithful like St. Joseph. Instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible. Let us remain faithful and prayerful, imitating Joseph and Mary, the humblest of the humble, the kindliest of the kindly, and the greatest-ever believers in God’s goodness and mercy, as we welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives this Christmas.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
We need to experience Emmanuel in our lives and change the world
God who entered our world through Jesus some 2000 years ago is at work in the world. But the question is, if God has come to be present in our lives and our world, then why are there so many lives which are unhappy and beastly? Why are people so hostile, hating each other, and why do so many love-relationships turn sour? Why is there domestic violence? Why is there child abuse? Why is there war in at least a dozen countries of God’s good earth at any given time? Why are so many people homeless and hungry, even in rich countries? The Good News, the consoling message of Christmas, is that the child Jesus still waits today to step into our hearts—your heart and mine—and to change us and the world around us by the beauty of God’s love, kindness, mercy and compassion. Let us take some time to let the Christ Child enter our hearts and lives this week, so that He may change our world of miseries with the beauty of that love.
4th Sunday of Advent (A)
Do we have any gift for
our “Birthday Boy?
Let us check to see if Jesus is on our list this Christmas and if we have a special gift in mind for him. We all know the pleasure of finding the right present for our husband or wife, for our children, a good friend, a parent. What special gift are we giving to Jesus this year to honor his birth, and what do we expect from God? God sent Jesus from Heaven to earth to give us human beings what we really need most in life: hearts filled with love. That is the gift which Jesus really wants from us, and that is what you and I really need from God this Christmas – a heart filled with love. We have tons of wants. We are like children with a catalogue before Christmas, circling all our wants by the dozens. But we have one essential need: a heart filled with love. God wants to give each of us a heart filled with love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness on this Christmas Day, and on every day of our lives.
The greatest gift we can give to those we love, is to have faith in them, believe in their dreams, and try to help them realize them. We need to believe in the dreams of our husband, wife, children, parents, heroes, leaders, and friends, then try our best to help them realize those dreams.
Infographics were created using Google Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro. Inspiration take from Fr. Tony’s Homilies; Non-profits may freely use this infographic in their publications and/or ministry. Please give credit or a shout out to TheWordThisWeek.NET.